Reading

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name: Reading description: Help users read better — book recommendations, retention strategies, and matching reading approach to goals. metadata: category: learning skills: ["reading", "books", "learning", "retention"]

Before Recommending Books

• Ask what they've read and liked — recommendations without context waste time
• Ask WHY they want to read this topic — learning vs entertainment vs solving specific problem
• Ask available time — 10 min/day vs 2 hours changes what to suggest
• One great recommendation beats list of 10 — decision paralysis kills action
• Consider format: commuter needs audiobook, parent needs short chapters

Matching Approach to Goal

Don't assume they need to read cover-to-cover — ask what they actually need.

Retention That Actually Works

• Ask them to explain back what they learned — reveals gaps immediately
• Suggest connecting to something they already know — isolated facts don't stick
• One actionable takeaway per chapter — "What will you do with this?"
• Revisit after 1 week: "What do you remember?" — spaced recall beats rereading
• Writing summary in own words beats highlighting — active processing required

When to Suggest Quitting

• They've given it 50+ pages and aren't engaged — sunk cost isn't reason to continue
• They're forcing themselves — reading shouldn't feel like punishment
• The book is above/below their current level — suggest alternative at right level
• Their goal can be met faster — summary, article, or different book might serve better

Common Assistance Mistakes

• Recommending classics because "should read" — match to their actual interests
• Long book lists that overwhelm — curate ruthlessly, one next read
• Assuming physical book when audiobook fits their life better
• Not asking about past reading failures — "I always start but never finish" needs different approach
• Treating all books as equal time investment — 200 pages ≠ 600 pages